Still Alice

Alice celebrates her 50th birthday at a chic restaurant, surrounded by her husband John and their children. However, her daughter Lydia is absent due to an audition, creating a bittersweet atmosphere for the family.

Alice prepares for her role as a guest speaker at UCLA, where she plans to share her insights on language acquisition in children. During her talk, a sudden memory lapse disrupts her presentation, leaving her and the audience surprised.

After her talk, Alice spends time with Lydia during dinner, discussing her daughter's aspirations in acting. Alice expresses her concerns, hoping Lydia might consider college instead of pursuing a theater career.

Later, Alice goes for a jog in NYC but starts to forget her surroundings, which causes her distress. This incident raises concerns about her memory, leading to deeper reflections on her mental state.

Worried about her frequent memory lapses, Alice visits a doctor for evaluation. Various memory exercises are administered, but one particular test leaves her unsettled, igniting fears of a serious condition.

Alice undergoes an MRI, which reveals no immediate issues, but the doctor recommends a PET scan for early-onset Alzheimer's. Meanwhile, she prepares for Christmas dinner while struggling with increasing memory failures.

Alice receives a diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's, which she breaks to John. His denial of the situation leaves Alice feeling isolated, exacerbating her sense of fear and despair.

Alice's eldest daughter Anna discovers she is a carrier of the genetic marker for Alzheimer's. This news brings a mix of relief, as it allows for embryo screening, but also deepens the family's turmoil over the hereditary nature of the disease.

Alice faces criticism from her students regarding her teaching, with negative reviews impacting her confidence. Despite everything, she yearns to hold onto her position at Columbia for as long as possible.

After a solo visit to Pink Berry, Alice forgets about important dinner plans with John, leading to an emotional confrontation. John's frustration highlights the strain that Alice's condition is putting on their relationship.

Under the pretext of visiting her parents, Alice secretly visits a nursing home to document her declining mental state. She compiles distressing recordings for herself, illustrating the gravity of her situation.

Alice wears a bracelet labeled 'memory impaired' as a stark reminder of her condition. This symbol not only signifies her struggles but also the reality of her declining independence and mental health.

Anna gives birth to twins, but John hesitates to let Alice hold them, fearing she may forget who they are. This moment highlights the emotional turmoil and fear surrounding Alice's Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

With the introduction of caregiver Elena, Alice is faced with the reality of her fragility. An alarming moment occurs when Alice attempts to follow through on a disturbing plan, only to be saved by Elena's timely arrival.

As John and Alice enjoy frozen yogurt, Alice struggles to recall simple choices, representing her mental deterioration. In a poignant scene, Lydia reads to her, allowing Alice to momentarily reflect on love and happiness despite her ongoing struggle.